Sarah the Sailor

Recently we went on a short vacation to Islamorda, Florida and being as I had just received this Iplehouse doll that I had been waiting forever for. I mean, I just received her the morning we left for vacation.  I was beginning to worry that she'd spend my vacation sitting on my front porch waiting for my return.  Anyway, she had just arrived, what was I to do?  Leaver her all by herself for a week?  I checked my inventory of doll clothes, found her some resort wear, a very nice wig and some shoes, popped her in my carry on and off we went.  It was a good thing too.  The weather was very windy so outdoor activities were seriously curtailed.  My husband spent the time sleeping on a beach chair so Sarah Jane and I had lots of time to wander the property and pose for pictures.

 I came across this dry docked boat on the resort property and decided what the heck.  What better place for her to learn to sail that in a dry docked boat.  That explains her lack of a life jacket. 

Little Shu Mei

Another new little one that came to live at our house this winter.  This is Kimberly Lasher's Shu Mei.  I believe it was an exclusive she did for The Toy Shoppe.  She's a tiny one - only about 8 inches tall.  More in line with the size I'm used to sewing for.  She's been quite a challenge to sew for.  It's tricky to find printed fabric in a small enough scale to work with her small size.  I guess that's the most fun of working with these, finding just the right fabrics.  She's ready for spring in her little lady bug dress.  So many dolls, so much fabric - so little time, or should I say sew little time!

Introducing Tyra Banks

This is the new edition to my Kaye Wiggs family.  She is about 45 cm or 18 inches tall.  I originally didn't like the default lavender eyes she came with, but after I found her some lavender hair to match - I kinda like her.  She has made quite a hit at the doll shows she has attended.  In fact, the times I've dressed her in lavender or purple, she has sold everything she has modeled.  So, she's earning her keep and I guess I'll keep her.  I hadn't sewn for someone that big since I gave up sewing for the American Girl dolls and she was quite a challenge, but I've gotten the hang of it.  I'm so used to sewing for the little 10 inch dolls, I can't believe how much fabric I use for Tyra.  But, that's OK - I think I have enough in my stash to handle it.

Wow - whoever said don't piss off the Fairies, meant it.  When I politely asked Ivy to model as a Christmas elf (I mean with those ears, it just stands to reason) she was livid.  Wouldn't smile or stand still for anything.  She was insulted that I would ask her to be an elf.  I can't wait to see what she thinks when I get out the sleigh.  If she thinks being an elf is insulting, wait until she sees what I have planned for St. Patrick's Day. 

We're off again this week.  We leave on Friday for Strongsville, Ohio.  I've never been to Strongsville, I hear it's outside of Cleveland.  Bonnie and I mapped it out last week and it looks like we may have quite a few quilt shops to hit on the trip.  Like I need more fabric. 

I'm impatiently waiting on my new Kaye Wiggs to arrive.  I have preordered Miki and she is due September/October.  I can't wait.  She's quite tall - 45 centimeters.  I guess that comes out to 18 inches or so.  I haven't sewed for something that tall in quite some time. 

The picture to the left is of Tulah in her new Christmas dress, she wanted to stand next to an elf.  And still, Ivy doesn't look really happy to be called an elf.  She'll get over it.  I really need to get some shoes for these girls. 

I'm so hooked on Kaye Wiggs BJD's.  I ordered "Ivy" because she was in stock - the old instant gratification thing.  I wasn't sure about a fairy coming to live here, but I really like her.  I originally had her in red hair, but it didn't do a thing for her.  The green is much more to her liking.  Kinda fits with the whole fairy thing she has going.  Her given name was Lillie, but I have way too many Lillies already.  Lillian Plusczok and Lillie Lasher are already here, so we needed something that reflected her fairy style.  I've had to rework all the patterns for her as she is so slender.  But, I have a few things going for her, at least she's not nakee anymore.  I hate nakee dolls at my house. 

Anyway, now that the last show is done for the time being, maybe I'll have more time to devote to the blog.  We finished the last show on Sunday and don't have another one booked until August in Sauder Village, Ohio.  Time to restock and develop some new patterns.

Meet Tillie

This is my new acquisition.  Her name is Tillie and she is a 29 cm Kaye Wiggs.  However, when she arrived, she informed me that her given name is Mathilda and she prefers this to Tillie.  She arrived last Friday from Australia.  I had ordered red hair for her, but she found this blonde/blue wig and laid claim to it.  I like the look.  I am in the process of developing some patterns for her.  She is unlike any of my other dolls, naturally, so this may take a few days. 

We returned late Sunday afternoon from the Tonner Convention in Lombard, IL.  It was so great to see everybody.  It's a shame we have to wait another whole year to get together again.  Our sales table was mobbed just about the entire weekend.  Bonnie sold everything she had for the Ellowyne Wilde size doll.  We came home with quite a few new dolls between the 2 of us.  So, we're back to the sewing machine, getting ready for the Oldenburg Convention in a couple of weeks.  Actually, I'm going to cheat and sew for Mathilda for a while.  Poor thing, she has nothing right now.

Tuesday's Update

I think that everything is working correctly on the blog now.  At least I hope so.  I had hoped to take some pictures of the things I've been working on for the Tonner Convention in Lombard, Illinois, but it's been so cloudy and rainy here that I've given up that idea.  The weatherperson says maybe some sun tomorrow.  So cross your fingers, we may have pictures tomorrow.  I haven't done a whole lot, anyway.  Bonnie says I have to work on boy clothes and they are so boring.  You can't add lace or cool buttons, or anything neat.  But the boys need clothes also, so I'll continue on.

We have a really busy summer planned.  We are headed to the Tonner Convention in 2 weeks.  In June, we are going to the Oldenburg Convention and then we have a show in Naperville, IL.  We're taking July off cause there's nothing doing anyway, but we will be at Sauder Village in Ohio the first weekend in August.  From there we head to Strongsville, Ohio on August 21st.  September is really busy for us - we have shows 3 weeks in a row.  We'll be in Valparaiso, Indiana on the 11th, Erlanger, Kentucky on the 18th and back in Illinois, in Willowbrook on the 25th.  That's a lot of shows for us.

Anyway - I'm going back to the sewing machine.  Seeing all these show dates on paper makes me nervous!